Pardew: Toon’s left-back backup plan will spring into action
Posted on August 11th, 2011 | 60 Comments |
Anyway, Mr Pardew has given a rare interview with the ‘Chronicle’ in regards to Jose’s exit and potential replacement to the left-back position. He rambled:
“Jose showed no motivation to sign a new contract and when a player is in the last year of his contract it is a difficult situation when it comes to accepting a fee.
“A replacement is ongoing as we speak. We need to put in place our back-up plan now but I think it’s unfair to name names in public.”
Maybe I’m misinterpreting our Alan here, but “we need to put in place our back-up plan now” seems pretty obvious. I’d have thought we would already have a back-up plan done and dusted before we had agreed to let Enrique leave. I mean that’s just sensible, but we all know who’s calling the shots don’t we? In fairness, Enrique hasn’t exactly helped matters either by refusing to talk about his future with the board (allegedly).
I suppose our “back-up plan” was Neil Taylor a few months back, but Swansea ousted our attempts to lure him to St James’ Park and he decided to stay on at Swansea.
So, as Saturday approaches Newcastle don’t have a registered left-back in the squad. Before Enrique left it was obvious we needed another left-back as cover, but now we don’t have anyone. We were lucky that Jose isn’t injury prone, though when he did get injured we had the laughable James Perch as a ‘replacement’.
Maybe Kadar could deputise? Though I think he is better situated at centre-back and he is hardly experienced in the first-team.
It looks as though Danny Simpson or Ryan Taylor will get the chance in an unfamiliar role against the Gunners this weekend. To be fair to both of them though, the former struggles in his own right-back position and the latter is much better deployed in midfield. Shane Ferguson has resumed training today, but he wont be considered due to his lack of fitness. Personally I wouldn’t consider Ferguson at left-back at all, I think he is a left-midfielder, but I’m sure we will hear Pardew tell the world that young Shane can play there. Have I mentioned James Perch?
Now apologies for my sarcasm and down beat mood thus far, it just strikes me as madness to sell your only left-back two days before the Premier League opener. You would have to have been living on the Moon, with your eyes shut and ear plugs in, to not know Jose is off to Liverpool. Why can’t they wait until after Saturday to conclude this deal? Or better still, Have the replacement in already, then sell Jose? Oh yeah, I forgot who calls the shots at the club…
Anyway I’m glad this Enrique ‘story’ is finally close to completion. Like watching the Antiques Roadshow, I found it extremely tedious and boring.
PSV’s Erik Pieters is the alleged replacement for Enrique, though if this deal concludes I doubt he will be ready for Arsenal. PSV coach Fred Rutten has stated recently that no contact from any club regarding a transfer has been made:
“No clubs have reported.
“Of all those possible transfers in the newspapers, in reality only very few go through.”
So, I assume this transfer won’t be going through any time soon. I think though that it’s very likely to happen. Well, not necessarily Peiters but definitely a new left-back.
I’ve been thinking recently about who Pardew will deploy in Midfield on Saturday, now I’m trying to mentally fit square pegs in round holes for the left-back position! I’m quietly confident though that the club will get someone in before the Sunderland game. On the striker situation, I’m far less confident.
At least Arsenal are having a nightmare at the moment, should make for an interesting game for both managers. A poor result for Pardew will undoubtedly lead to boos and hisses from the fans, likewise for Mr Wenger if his team fail to show up. This game could really help quell fears for both sets of fans, so lets see what Saturday brings.
To those knocking Shola in and earlier thread, look at this – http://twitpic.com/644084
He’s joined the likes of Messi and Rooney as the cover star of football video game FIFA 12.